Though it wasn't made clear in the contemporary reviews, it's very possible that the star of this one-reel Essanay Western was the inimitable "Broncho Billy" Anderson. Set in Arizona, the story gets under way as a "good" cowboy argues with his "bad" brother. The bad one is killed by an unknown assassin's bullet, whereupon the good one vows to avenge his brother's death. In so doing, the good boy clears his family's name (hence the film's title). A Cowboy's Vindication was probably filmed at Essanay's West Coast headquarters in Niles, CA.

~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide